SETENTA Y TRES

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Wednesday. On Wednesday, the show High School Musical: The Musical: The Series wraps it's final day of filming. After all the hard work, tears, and sweat the cast and crew put for several months, it was finally coming to a close.

After the talk with Olivia, Jo and Liv had remained as close as they were, though there was still touchy subjects in conversation with her and Josh, otherwise everything went back to normal. Now being April, meant that Joey was working even harder on all her classes and her art show pieces. Her final painting only needing it's last minute touch-ups. On the other hand, she's still waiting for her letter of acceptance from Columbia University. At this point, she has practically given up all hope, but Josh kept affirming her of her capability. Everyday when coming home, she checks her mailbox, hoping and praying that an envelope from Columbia is hidden somewhere in the white box, yet never finds anything of importance.

Yet, this Tuesday, Joey is found in her room doing homework (surprising), when she hears a knock calling at her bedroom door. "Yeah?" she yelled from inside the room. Josh pushed the door open, holding up a bag of take-out Chinese food. "Lo mein?"

The short girl smiled from her seat, rushing to his side and giving him a quick kiss on his lips. "I'd love some, thank you. I honestly really need a break from work right now. I just finished my final project for calc and my brain is fried." She plopped onto the bed while Josh took the food out of the plastic bag. She admired him, taking note of his messy appearance and droopy eyes. "How're you feeling?"

He shrugged with a short sigh. Jo gave him a tight lipped smile in understanding. "It just doesn't feel real. Its so hard to believe that tomorrows our final day of filming and I'll be back home by the end of the week." His eyes were bloodshot, trying to keep himself from crying again. Josephine crawled over to him and cradled him in her arms, pressing his head into her chest and he wrapped his own arms around her frame.

"I know, baby. It's hard. But you've worked so hard for this. All of you guys, the cast, crew, production. And I can't wait for this to change your life. You are the most amazingly talented person I know and you deserve this more than anyone." Her slim fingers ran thought his curly locks and she placed a chaste kiss on the top of his head. "Let's eat, okay babe? I'll let you pick the movie but I am not sitting through another Tobey Maguire movie." He chuckled, his breath hitting her collar bones.

"Oh you know you love them."

Wednesday. Today was finally the day. Joey trekked  the empty halls during 3rd period, some students were at lunch while the rest of the school was waiting for their lunch shift to begin. Others stood by the front entrance of the school and watched the cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series say their final goodbye's to East High.

When Joey finally arrived she saw the main cast standing in a line, holding hands with their teary eyes and small sniffles. She saw the smiles on their faces, knowing it wasn't a permanent goodbye for them. She sat down on the last step and gave them all a short wave with the brightest smile she could give them. The two people on the ends, Julia and Dara, waved her over. She rushed up to them, immediately being swarmed in a group hug. Tears streamed down their cheeks and dropped onto the heads of the shorter members. The embrace was long and tender. Sniffling and short breaths were as expected as Jo squeezed her friends. When they all let go, Jo choked back her own set of tears. "Well, this is it, guys. How does it feel?"

"Heartbreaking. But so totally worth it," Frankie responded. "I'm so glad that we ended up meeting and getting to know you through this. No matter the outcome of the show, I know that I made a lot of lifetime friends here."

Joey smiled brightly at him, eyes red. "Stop, you're making me cry too." The group sniffled one last time before finally breaking apart. "So, you guys got any big plans to celebrate?"

Matt grinned, wiping the tears from his cheeks, "yeah we're going out to eat one last time and then heading back to finish packing. Lot of us leave tomorrow morning."

Sofia butted, "woukd you wanna come have dinner with us? One last go-around."

"I would love to, but I've got a lot of studying to do tonight. Plus, I have a good feeling you'll all be back for season 2. I'm almost positive," Joey grinned.

Frankie spoke up, "maybe, but you'll be livin it up at Columbia!" Jo shook her head, "I'm not too sure anymore. I haven't heard anything from them and I graduate in less than a month. I've pretty much given up hope on that." Her depleted expressed caused a frown to appear on Josh's face. He hates to see her so gloomy. Especially because she's the smartest person he knows, there's no way Columbia wouldn't admit her. She's the perfect candidate. She's valedictorian, study body vice president, leader of the international culture club, and takes all AP classes. She's more than qualified for the Ivy League of her dreams. Admittedly, sometimes he feels stupid in comparison to her. Though, she never makes him feel lesser than, always viewing and treating him as an equal. Which makes him love her more. No matter who you were, she would still treat you with decency and respect.

The group split apart as they heard the bell ring, Joey saying her goodbyes in order to get to her next class. Josh dismissed himself as well, and walked Jo to her classroom.

"I'll see you later tonight?," he asked her. Smirk painted on his lips. She furrowed, "didn't I just say I need to study?"

"I would be there just to make sure you don't get distracted." She chuckled, amusement on her features, "right, right. We'll see. But you should focus on spending tonight with your friends."

"Fine," the one minute bell rang, "but only because you need to study, Miss Columbia."

She rolled her eyes, stepping into her classroom and walking to her seat. Josh watching her every move.

When Joey arrived to her house later that afternoon, she spotted a large envelope with her name in fancy calligraphy writing thrown on top the kitchen counter. She picked it up, inspecting the large white encasing. The words in the corner, Columbia University, quickly standing out to her. "Holy shit," she whispered to herself. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for for what seemed like eternity. Jo wasted no time in ripping open the seal, opening up the folded letter. Her eyes scanned the page, immediately reading the words, "Congratulations on your acceptance to Columbia University!" Her eyes welled up with tears of joy, her heart beating a mike per minute. She let out a squeal as she jumped and spun around the kitchen.

"Que pasa?" she heard her mom scream from the end of the house.

"I GOT IN, MA! I'm going to Columbia!"

Her mother rushed in, eyes landing on the letter in her hands. "Ay, mi amor. I knew you could do it, mi niña hermosa y brillante. Lo lograste, mija." Those words of praise were enough for her to crash into her mothers embrace and sob into her chest. All the years of pushing herself and working hard had finally paid off.















































i bet you all thought i died. well i didn't.

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